ESPN gives Colts a 'D' grade in free agency

The Indianapolis Colts have been among the quieter teams in free agency this offseason and even the players they have signed aren’t among the bigger names on the market.

Everyone has a different view on how the Colts have handled the free agency period after a few weeks but ESPN’s Mike Wells hasn’t been very impressed, giving the team a ‘D’ grade thus far through the process.

D. The Colts have been more viewers than participants during free agency so far despite the numerous holes on their roster. They’ve signed only four free agents (as of March 27) who were on other teams last season. This approach was by design, though. The plan all along was to be smart spenders instead of free spenders. GM Chris Ballard, without mentioning specific names, said they tried to land some of the marquee free agents but there was a certain price range they would not go above to sign a player.

It has been Ballard’s plan all along to build through the draft and even though he isn’t opposed to free agency, he doesn’t feel it is necessary to overpay for a player simply to fill a need.

While the Colts haven’t made many moves, Wells listed veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri as their most significant signing this offseason, which gives them another season of consistency and production at a position where it is hard to find both.

Wells also listed cornerback Rashaan Melvin as the team’s biggest loss in free agency after he signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

The Colts have made smaller moves to add depth but the real change will come in the draft, where Ballard has a desire to build the foundation of the roster.